Should California invest to improve schools and communities?

A word of advice from my mother, the school teacher: If there is a big test coming up, don’t leave studying to the last minute.

Editorial: Ed100 recommendations for selected measures on the 2024 state ballot

There is a big test coming up for school communities: the November 2024 state ballot. Below is an Ed100 homework helper for four important measures. How will you vote on them?

• School bonds
• Marriage equality
• Bonds to keep communities safe from wildfires and other threats
• Lowering the voting threshold for local infrastructure bonds

Proposition 2 (2024): School facility bonds.

Ed100 recommendation: YES on Prop 2.

For most folks, supporting safe schools should be an easy choice because the need is great, there's no real alternative, and the measure has nearly universal support. The California Department of Education (CDE) estimates that approximately 30% of the state's K-12 classrooms are at least 50 years old and 10% are 70 years old.

In addition to addressing normal wear and tear, schools need to be updated to meet 21st Century expectations for health and safety, environmental efficiencies, and educational needs.

Researchers from the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) estimate that California K-12 public schools need about $100 billion for K-12 new construction and facility modernization. This state bond is an important and modest start.

Background about school bonds

School facilities are paid for by a combination of state and local taxes. The state usually pays 50 percent of the cost of new construction projects and 60 percent of the cost of renovation projects. These percentages change in the proposed bond. (See below).

Like homeowners, school districts generally borrow to build, buy or upgrade facilities. Unlike homeowners, instead of borrowing from a bank, school districts borrow using bonds. Ed100 lesson 5.9 explains more about how this works. There’s even more in our blog.

California voters established many of the rules that govern the financing of school facilities by passing Proposition 39 in 2000. This initiative amended the state constitution and dramatically lowered the threshold to pass bonds for school construction and renovation, from 2/3 of votes to 55%.

Equity in school facility funding

Even though the state legislature placed this measure on the ballot with nearly unanimous bipartisan support, there has been ongoing controversy over how the revenue from state bonds should be divided. Proposition 2 implements a new sliding scale in which lower-wealth districts receive a higher proportion of state funding. Major changes:

• Increases the state's share of new construction project costs from 50% to as much as 55%.
• Increases the state's share of renovation project costs from 60% to as much as 65%.
• Expands eligibility for financial hardship grants for small and disadvantaged school districts.
• Provides a higher percentage of state matching funds to schools with greatest need.

Not everyone is happy. For example, Public Advocates, a public-interest advocacy organization, sent a letter to the California governor and various state officials and agencies in February, "demanding them to end the state’s highly discriminatory system for funding school facilities—or face a lawsuit challenging this fall’s anticipated state school construction bond." (See Public Advocates proposal for more equity.)

Fiscal impact: The bond, if passed, will be repaid over a 35-year period at a cost of about $500 million per year.

Proposition 3 (2024): Right to marriage

Ed100 recommendation: YES on Prop 3.

The federal courts have said that same-sex couples can marry, but outdated language in the California Constitution still says that marriage can only be between a man and a woman.

Proposition 3 updates the state Constitution to match what the federal courts have said about who can marry. Proposition 3 would not change who is allowed to marry in California. There would be no change in revenues or costs to state and local governments.

What does this have to do with how well our children do in school? A lot. An enormous field of research shows that a welcoming school climate and family engagement improve student achievement. Removing discriminatory language from the California Constitution furthers the state’s commitment to equality and helps send a clear message to parents of respect and support.

Proposition 4: Investing in safer communities

Ed100 recommendation: YES on Prop 4.

Proposition 4 allows the state to sell a $10 billion bond for natural resources and climate activities. Much of the bond money would be used for loans and grants to local governments, Native American tribes, not-for-profit organizations, and businesses. Some bond money also would be available for state agencies to spend on state-run activities.

How will the money be used?

At least 40 percent of the funds from this proposed bond must be used for activities that directly benefit communities that have lower incomes or are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

The California State PTA has concluded that climate change is a children’s issue. “In California, climate change causes more frequent and intense forest fires, more air pollution and deadly heat waves, a significant reduction in the snowpack and state water supplies, sea level rise and erosion along California’s long coastline.”

These disruptions cause school closures and learning loss as well as additional expenses to rebuild and maintain schools.

According to the World Health Organization, children are more susceptible to adverse health effects from environmental hazards. They are “particularly vulnerable to certain environmental risks, including: air pollution; inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene; hazardous chemicals and waste, radiation; climate change; as well as emerging threats like e-waste.”

California, like many other states, faces increasing threats from wildfires, water pollution, and extreme heat. Just step outside.

According to the state Legislative Analyst, state bonds have been critical to mitigate the effect of these changes. “Over the past decade, the state has spent an average of about $13 billion each year (annually) on natural resources and climate activities. About 15 percent of this amount has been from bonds. The state still has a few billion dollars remaining from prior natural resources and climate bonds that have not yet been committed for specific activities.”

Fiscal impact: Increased state costs of about $400 million annually for 40 years to repay the bond.

Proposition 5 (2024): Voting requirements

Ed100 recommendation: YES on Prop 5.

The passage of Proposition 13 made it much more difficult to fund local schools and communities. Why? Because it eliminated majority rule when it comes to passing any “special” tax in a local election. It takes a two-thirds supermajority.

Voters addressed this problem for schools by passing Prop. 39 in 2000. This measure allows school bonds to pass with a 55% vote rather than two-thirds.

Proposition 5 addresses the same obstacle, only this time for local housing and infrastructure bonds. Examples of infrastructure include roads, hospitals, fire stations, libraries, and water treatment facilities.

A teachable moment

You might want to share this homework with your children. Discuss the issues. Why are they important? Let them see how to complete a ballot at home or at the polling station.

It’s a great and easy civics lesson for your students.